Roberto Salvarezza, director of technology firm Y-Tec and former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, has announced that Argentina will initiate the production of lithium batteries for public sector use this August.
The Lithium Cells and Batteries Plant (UniLiB), identified as a strategic initiative, is set to be launched between August and September.
It is anticipated to produce lithium-ion batteries for public sector applications, including military equipment and energy supplies for rural populations.
Speaking at a panel discussion hosted by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Salvarezza outlined the plant’s annual production capacity.
Located at the “Jorge Alberto Sábato” Technological Production Pole in La Plata, UniLiB is expected to yield stored energy equivalent to around 15 MWh annually.
This equates to approximately a thousand stationary batteries for renewable energy storage, or about fifty for electric buses.
Salvarezza highlighted that these batteries would be deployed for “specific requirements”, such as military communication equipment, electromobility, or stationary energy.
Furthermore, they will supplement renewable energy sources like wind or solar power to cater to energy deficits in smaller towns.
He disclosed that a pilot project is underway in the Province of Buenos Aires to power a town near Berisso (Isla Paulino) which is off the electricity grid.
By integrating lithium batteries with solar panels, an energy solution package is being developed that can potentially supply approximately 150 households.